abolir

Abolir is a Spanish verb meaning to abolish or formally end a law, institution, or practice. The action implies that what is being ended loses legal force or social acceptability, rather than simply being suspended or amended.

Etymology: the word derives from Latin abolire, through Old French abolir. It has cognates in other Romance languages, such as French abolir, Portuguese abolir, and Italian abolire. The related noun is abolición.

Usage: abolir is transitive and typically takes a direct object, for example: abolir la esclavitud, abolir una ley, abolir la pena de muerte. It is commonly used in political, legal, and human rights contexts, and it appears in phrases such as movimientos abolicionistas (abolitionist movements) and debates about reform or replacement policies.

Historical and legal context: abolition has played a central role in modern history, notably in the elimination of slavery in many countries and in ongoing discussions about the death penalty and other practices. In contemporary discourse, abolishing a practice often accompanies broader reform efforts or the introduction of alternative frameworks to address underlying social issues.

See also: abolitionism; abolition of slavery; penal reform; eliminar and suprimir as related terms. Abolir conveys a decisive end to a rule or institution, distinct from merely removing or limiting it in some cases, though in practice the distinctions can be nuanced.